October 13, 2025
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Monday welcomed Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman to Manila.
This marked the first-ever official visit of a Croatian foreign minister to the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993, a significant step forward in deepening the friendship and expanding cooperation between the Philippines and Croatia.
The two officials held a bilateral meeting at the DFA to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation between Manila and Zagreb, focusing on defense, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.
Croatia is home to an estimated 16,000 Filipinos, many of whom contribute to the country’s maritime and service sectors.
Lazaro and Radman also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including issues in the South China Sea, the Indo-Pacific, Europe, the Western Balkans, and the Middle East, as well as ongoing cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening engagement in other key sectors, such as maritime affairs, science and technology, education, and tourism—areas previously explored through a series of political consultations, the latest of which was held in 2024.
Radman announced that the Croatian government has decided to donate 100,000 euros or approximately PHP6.76 million, in support of the national government’s response to the victims of the recent earthquakes that hit different parts of the country.
During his visit, Radman is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and to meet with the secretaries of National Defense and Migrant Workers, as well as with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. (PNA)